Communist transport proposals for the Algarve include many broken promises

cruiseshipThe Portuguese Communist Party has presented parliament with six draft resolutions to improve mobility and transport in the Algarve region, all of which are "fundamental for the development of the Algarve" and whose implementation "can not continue to be postponed."
 
"These PCP proposals, contained in the six draft resolutions, respond to the aspirations of people and business, and contribute to improving mobility in the region and boosting the regional economy," says the PCP.

Tourism chief courts Jewish immigration and investment in Portugal

jewishlogoPortugal wants to encourage more Jews to line and invest in the country, said the Secretary of State, Ana Mendes Godinho, during a visit to the US.

“We want a Jewish presence in Portugal,” said Godinho, “and we look to Jewish investment.”

Three months letting property to tourists yields as much as a year's rent

alThe relative rental income figures are from João Queirós, a researcher and university professor who was heard this morning in Parliament by the Working Group looking at changes to the Alojamento Local, short-term rental laws: three months short-term rental income is more than the money earned from a year's permanent rental.
 
The development of short-term tourist rentals in the last three years seen an increase in the average price charged per night and has discouraged the rental of properties on a long-term basis.

Portugal's interior - too much land and not enough farmers

alentejoThe Secretary of State for Forestry said today that 52% of the country is at risk of desertification - but he has several ideas to counter this, among them is a Observatory Against Desertification.
 
"The Observatory to Combat Desertification will allow us to have good information on developments from the physical, economic and social point of view in the most disadvantaged territories," explained Miguel Freitas.

Low wages the norm in Algarve hotels despite higher occupancy and room rates

pestanaThe hotel workers’ trade union warned today about low pay in the sector, saying that about 60% of hotel staff and 80% of catering workers are struggling by on the minimum wage.
 
A statement from the union, denies assurances from the Association of Hoteliers of Portugal (AHP) and the Portuguese Tourism Confederation (CTP) that staff are earning more.

Missing in 2016: 50,000 old cars - exactly where are they now?

CarCarshBeahRocksEnvironmental organisation, Zero, has been analysing the 2016 data concerning old and scrapped cars and has “serious doubts” as to the whereabouts of 49,772 end-of-life vehicles.
 
The organisation has asked the Ministry of the Environment and the Tax and Customs Authority for clarification.

Unconscious French limpet collector rescued by Ferragudo lifeboat crew

barlaventohospitalA 68-year-old French tourist, slipped and fell, lying unconscious on the rocks below the Arade Castle in Ferragudo having banger her head.
 
An alert was received by the Ferragudo Lifeboat station at 10:45am which dispatched a crew.

Barroso caught lobbying for Goldman Sachs despite ban

barrosoPortugal’s Durão Barroso, former Prime Minister of Portugal, former EC President and current employee of the giant vampire squid, Goldman Sachs, has been caught lobbying on behalf of his employer, breaking a ban imposed by the European Commission when he left office.

EU Commissioner, Jyrki Katainen, confirmed he had a lobby meeting with Barroso who had his Goldman Sachs International hat on.